Palisades Fire Victims Defend Spencer Pratt's Mayoral Bid

Displaced residents say attacks on Pratt's eligibility are an attack on all wildfire victims' right to vote.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 10:51pm

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A serene, cinematic painting of a residential street in the Pacific Palisades, with a single house standing amidst the shadows and warm sunlight, conveying the melancholy and resilience of a community recovering from a wildfire.The lingering aftermath of a devastating wildfire casts a somber mood over a once vibrant Palisades community, as displaced residents fight to reclaim their right to vote.Los Angeles Today

The activist left has accused reality TV star Spencer Pratt of being ineligible to run for LA mayor because he is staying at his family's property near Santa Barbara after his home was destroyed in the Palisades Fire. Columnist Ross Greenberg, who also lost his home in the fire, argues that this is a deliberate attempt at disenfranchising displaced residents who are still invested in the Palisades and should have a say in the city's leadership.

Why it matters

The Palisades Fire displaced nearly 7,000 families, including Greenberg's, who are now dealing with the complex process of rebuilding their homes and lives. Questioning Pratt's eligibility to run for mayor raises concerns about whether other displaced residents will be able to fully participate in elections that directly impact their community.

The details

Greenberg explains that after losing their home, his family had to compete with 28,000 other displaced neighbors to find temporary housing. Many families were dropped by their insurers and had to rely on the California FAIR Plan, which does not provide additional living expenses. This has forced some to move out of town and pay both a mortgage and rent. Greenberg argues that in this context, it's understandable why Pratt would move into his parents' property near Santa Barbara.

  • In January 2025, the Palisades Fire destroyed nearly 7,000 homes in the area.
  • On February 3, 2026, Spencer Pratt filed his Declaration of Intention to be a candidate for mayor of Los Angeles.
  • Greenberg says the county registrar's office changed his voter information multiple times without his permission in the year following the fire.

The players

Spencer Pratt

A reality TV star who is running for mayor of Los Angeles after his home was destroyed in the Palisades Fire.

Ross Greenberg

A Pacific Palisades resident and entrepreneur who is rebuilding the home he lost in the Palisades Fire.

Traci Park

The city council member for the Palisades area, who has been advocating for displaced residents.

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What they’re saying

“If Pratt is unable to run for mayor, then I am unable to vote for mayor.”

— Ross Greenberg, Pacific Palisades resident

“Are displaced Palisadians not allowed to vote in elections that directly impact them? Are we supposed to sit on the sidelines and let other people make decisions for us?”

— Ross Greenberg, Pacific Palisades resident

What’s next

Greenberg plans to change his voter registration back to his permanent Palisades address once his home is rebuilt, and he is concerned about how many other displaced residents may have had their voter information changed without their knowledge.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges faced by wildfire victims in maintaining their civic engagement and political representation, as well as the potential for disenfranchisement of displaced residents whose voting status may have been altered without their consent.